Vending machine



R. H. SERENO VENDING MACHINE July 4, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March18, 1959 y 1 R. H. SERENO 2,990,975

VENDING MACHINE Filed March 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g 4, ,3. @ZerfdawwZ4 42 2% ya iinited States This invention relates generally to vendingmachines for dispensing small articles such as gum balls, various candyconfections, toys, and especially merchandise such as encapsuled charmsor the like. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements inthe dispensing mechanism of such machines and more specifically toimproved mechanisms insuring a free flow of merchandise by preventingarching of the articles.

Coin controlled vending machines of the type described are of course oldand well known. Similarly, a wide variety of dispensing mechanisms haveheretofore been employed in such machines with varying degrees ofsuccess. While many of the prior dispensing mechanisms have beenconcerned primarily with the problem of insuring that a measured oruniform quantity of the particular article is dispensed during eachsuccessive operation of the machine, the instant invention is directedchiefly to another dispensing problem often encountered in suchmachines.

Generally, the prior dispensing mechanisms comprised a pocketeddispenser element which was rotatably mounted beneath a stationarymerchandise storage globe having an article support member. Brushes ofone form or another were connected to the underside of the articlesupport for wiping over the surface of the pocketed dispensing elementto insure that a uniform amount or number of the articles were permittedto fill each pocket. Where the nature of the articles being vended wassuch that they were small, fairly uniform in shape and characterized bysmooth, non-sticking outer surfaces, the prior dispensing mechanismsprovided suflicient agitation to the bulk articles to keep the same freeflowing. Thus, where the articles dispensed comprised nuts, small hardgum balls or the like, further dispensing problems generally were notencountered.

On the other hand, where the dispensed article was larger, irregular inshape, or had an exterior surface which was not hard or smooth, theminimal agitation afforded by the prior dispensing mechanisms was notsufiicient to maintain the articles in free flowing condition. This wastrue, of course, because these articles do not have the same granular,free flowing quality possessed by the previously described articles.When this condition occurred, eflicient uniform dispensing by themachine was adversely affected. Thus ofttimes it became necessary toopen the machine and agitate or break up the arched or clusteredarticles by hand.

Recognizing the need for overcoming this objectionable feature, attemptshave been made to introduce means intended to cure this defect. However,these devices have been generally characterized by their relativeineffectiveness, large, expensive and complicated structure and theirtendency to cut or injure the merchandise.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide avending machine of the character described having a dispensing mechanismwith means which during normal operation thereof produces the type ofagitation necessary to keep the articles in free flowing condition.

It is well known that certain vended articles, in addition to lackingthe desired granular bulk quality, have a tendency to build on eachother to form hollow spaces when in bulk. Particular reference is madeto the merchandise-filled plastic capsules which are becomingincreasingly popular in vending machines. These capsules generallycomprise a pair of complementary flat-topped atcnt O ice cylindricalmembers which are detachably connected, and contain one or more charms,pieces of candy or other articles of merchandise. These capsules alsohave a protruding annular flange at the point of junction of the twomembers. Such capsules quite often build on each other to create thecondition known in the trade as bridging or arching. This conditionoccurs when the bulk articles form a bridged space immediately above thepockets of the dispenser, thereby preventing any further articles fromfalling into the dispenser pockets. Obviously, the machine cannotdispense while this condition exists.

It is therefore another important object of the invention to afford avending machine of the character described having agitator meansassociated with the dispensing mechanism to prevent bridging or arching.

A further object is to provide a machine of the character describedwhich is effective for vending virtually any type of relatively smallarticle.

Still another object is to afford a machine of the character describedhaving resilient agitator means whose efiiciency is unimpaired by theamount or direction of weight acting thereon.

Yet another object is to provide a machine of the character describedhaving resilient agitator means which cannot injure or damage thearticles being dispensed.

Still a further object is to afford a vending machine of the characterdescribed in which the dispensing mechanism is simply and inexpensivelyconstructed and yet is most eflicient and sturdy.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofthe structure may be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I haveillustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof,from an inspection of which, when considered in connection withthe-following description, my invention, its mode of construction,assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readilyunderstood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bulk vending machine embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of line 2-2 inFIG. 1 and viewed in the direction indicated, the merchandise havingbeen removed to disclose the structure of the dispensing mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a greater enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on theplane of line 33 in FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the resilient agitator means,portions thereof being shown in dotted outline to permit illustration ofcertain details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the resilient agitator means with thevarious types of movement thereof being shown in dotted outline; and

FIG. 6 is a reduced fragmentary elevational view of a prior vendingmachine illustrating the condition of the articles known as bridging.

Turning first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that referencenumeral 10 indicates generally a bulk vending machine embodying theprinciples of the invention. Vending machine may comprise a base 12 anda pedestal 14 supported atop said base. Mounted atop the pedestal 14 maybe a pedestal cover or globe retaining element 16 in which is positioneda transparent merchandise globe or container 18. A pair of threaded siderods 20 and a top container plate (not shown) may be provided forsecurely connecting the container 18 to the retaining element 16. Acover such as 22 closes the container 18, and a threaded centralconnecting rod 24 may be provided for removably connecting together thebase 12, the pedestal 14 and the cover 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the retaining element 16 may beintegrally formed with a depending annular well 26. Well 26 comprises abottom wall 28 and an annular side wall 30. Bottom wall 28 is formedwith a dispensing opening 32 therein, and positioned in alignment withand beneath the opening 32 is a dispensing chute 34. Integrally formedwith the bottom wall 28 is an upstanding centrally-apertured centralannular boss 36.

Rotatably and removably mounted on the bottom wall 28 and the boss 36 isa dispensing wheel 38. The dispensing wheel 38 is formed with aplurality of open dispensing pockets 40. In the embodiment illustrated,there are three dispensing pockets formed in the wheel 38, said pocketsbeing sized to accommodate one capsule C as indicated in FIG. 3 of thedrawings. It should of course be understood that the number and size ofdispensing pockets may be varied depending on the particular articlebeing dispensed.

Integrally formed with the dispensing wheel 38 and projecting upwardlytherefrom is a centrally apertured circular hub or boss 42. Secured tothe wheel 38 in circumferentially spaced relationship around the hub 42are three upwardly projecting agitator members 44. Each of the agitatormembers 44 comprises a sturdy but resilient integrally-formed steel wiremember having a horizontally positioned coil spring arm 46, an uprightwire stem 48 and a relatively short bottom leg 50. The bottom leg 50 mayterminate in a loop adapted to accommodate a suitable fastener such as ascrew 52 for firmly securing the agitator member 44 to the wheel 38.

It is important to note that each of the bottom legs 50 is in skew withthe corresponding spring arm 46, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.This novel construction thus permits the spring arms 46 and the wirestems 48 to give or yield in any direction as the agitator members 44are rotated through the bulk articles, as indicated by the dottedoutlines in FIGS. 4 and 5. Similarly, the effective radius of therotating spring arms 46 is increased for greater efficiency. Of course,these characteristics of the agitator members 44 are important in thatthey permit proper functioning while at the same time preventing anydamage to the articles which might be caused by a rigid or limitedmovement agitator means. Moreover, the yielding movement of the variousagitator parts insures agitation in various places and directions whichpositively prevents bridging such as Was heretofore prevalent as shownin FIG. 6 of the drawings.

It is likewise important to note that the bottom legs 59 are in tightabutting relationship with the adjacent periphery of the hub 42. The hub42 thus acts as a reinforcing member for the upright wires 48 and limitsto a certain extent the inward bending thereof toward the center. Thus,while the desirable resilient agitator members 44 are employed, thepossibility of the permanent distortion of these members which might becaused by the stress of an unduly large force acting toward the centerof the dispensing wheel 38 is substantially reduced.

Positioned atop the dispensing wheel 38 is an annular retaining ring 54.Secured to the retaining ring 54 by any suitable means such as screws 56are a plurality of converging resilient brushes 58. Said brushes 58 arepositioned in vertical alignment with the dispensing opening 32 toinsure that the serving being dispensed is uniform in every case. Aportion of the retaining ring 54 may be sloped inwardly as at 60 tofacilitate the flow of the capsules C toward the dispensing pockets 40.In order to afford a better seal between the globe 18 and the retainingelement 16 an annular rubber sealing ring 62 may be positioned on theretaining ring 54 as indicated in FIG. 3.

To link the dispensing wheel 38 to the actuating handle H, said wheel isformed with a reduced diameter bottom portion 64 forming a shoulder 66(see FIG. 3). Intogrally formed and depending from the shoulder 66 are aplurality of gear teeth 68 which are radially spaced around the entireperiphery of the portion 64. The teeth 68 are adapted to mesh with gearsattached to the handle H for operating the machine 10 in a manner wellknown to those versed in the art. To permit this meshing, a suitableslot (not shown) may be formed in the bottom Wall 28.

It should thus be apparent without further description that I haveprovided a vending machine having novel dispensing and agitating means.The agitator means are desirably resilient and free to move in variousplanes and directions to prevent bridging or other impediments to readyand uninterrupted merchandise dispensing. At the same time, the novelmounting of the agitating means insures their eifectiveness withoutpermanent distortion thereof even when subjected to such forces as mightbe exerted by fairly large and weighty articles. The agitator means areinexpensively fabricated and yet are most efiicient and safe for usewith all types of articles.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing without further description, and it should also be manifestthat while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In a vending machine having a merchandise container and a supportassembly for said container; a pocketed dispensing wheel rotatablymounted in said support assembly below said container, a plurality ofresilient agitator elements secured to said dispensing wheel andprojecting upwardly therefrom said agitator elements being characterizedby the ability to yield in a plurality of planes, each of said agitatorelements comprising an integrally formed wire member having a horizontaltop coil spring arm, an upright stern and a horizontal bottom leg, thefree end of said bottom leg being secured to said dispensing wheel, saidbottom leg being in skew with said coil spring arm, and a hub projectingupwardly from said dispensing wheel, said agitator elements beingpositioned in circumferentially spaced relationship around said hub,said bottom legs being positioned in abutting relationship with theadjacent periphery of said hub so that said free end of said bottom legleads the point of contact of said bottom leg with said hub whereby saidhub reinforces said stem to reduce the possibility of permanentdistortion thereof.

2. In vending machine including a merchandise container and a supportassembly for said container: a pocketed dispensing wheel rotatablymounted in said support assembly below said container, an upwardlyprojecting hub integrally formed with said dispensing wheel, threeresilient agitator members mounted in circumferentially spacedrelationship around said hub, each of said agitator members comprisingan integrally formed spring steel wire member having an elongatedhorizontal coil spring arm, an elongated straight upright stem dependingfrom one end of said arm and a short straight horizontal leg formed atthe other end of said stern, said leg terminating in an integrallyformed loop, said leg being in skew With said arm, said loops secured tosaid dispensing wheel so that said legs are in tight abuttingrelationship with the adjacent periphery of said hub with said loopsleading the point of contact of said legs with said hub, said agitatormembers adapted to yield in every direction, said hub reinforcing saidagitator members to reduce the pos- 5 sibility of permanent distortionthereof.

3. In a vending machine including a merchandise container and a supportassembly for said container; a dispensing wheel rotatably mounted insaid support assembly below said container, an upwardly projecting hubintegrally formed with said dispensing wheel, a plurality of resilientagitator members mounted in circum-ferentially spaced relationshiparound said hub, each of said agitator members comprising an integrallyformed wire member having an elongated coil spring top arm, an elongatedup right stem and a short horizontal leg, said leg terminating in aloop, each of said loops being secured to said dispensing wheel so thatsaid leg is in tight abutting relationship with the adjacent peripheryof said hub, said loop leading the point of contact of said leg withsaid hub so References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 861,079 Benner July 23, 1907 969,330 Bloch Sept. 6, 19101,057,487 Loe et a1. Apr. 1, 1913 1,128,323 Johnstone Feb. 16, 19151,414,786 Nagy et a1. May 2, 1922 1,591,637 Matheson July 6, 19261,901,203 Thompson Mar. 14, 1933 2,315,473 Wolcott Mar. 30, 19432,752,618 Stern July 3, 1956 2,764,321 Gerdes et al Sept. 25, 19562,772,8 11 Schaef Dec. 4, 1956

